Front access battery compartment

ABSTRACT

An emergency lighting device includes a housing containing a high voltage connection. A light emitter is connected to the housing. A compartment in the housing having an opening is separated from the high voltage connection. A battery is positioned in the compartment and accessible through the opening.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/165,765, filed May 26, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/955,497, filed Dec. 1, 2015, which is based onprovisional application Ser. No. 62/088,247, filed Dec. 5, 2014, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD

Various exemplary embodiments relate to front access batterycompartments for lighting assemblies and signs.

BACKGROUND

Emergency units, such as exit signs and light fixtures, are commonlyused in public buildings to indicate and illuminate areas such as stairsand exits in the event of a power failure. These fixtures typically havean emergency backup power system such as a battery that automaticallyturns on the emergency light when the primary power source isinterrupted.

Once an emergency unit is installed, the batteries need to be replacedevery 3 to 5 years. Access to the batteries inside the emergency unit isgained by removing the main front cover to the entire emergency unit.Removing the main front cover exposes the person replacing the batteryto voltages from several sources, including line voltage and highvoltage from the transformer. Emergency unit batteries should thereforeonly be replaced by qualified technicians to avoid harm, includingelectrical shock and death, and damage to the equipment.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, an emergency signaling deviceincludes a housing containing a high voltage connection. A light emitteris connected to the housing. A compartment in the housing having anopening is separated from the high voltage connection. A battery ispositioned in the compartment and accessible through the opening.

According to another exemplary embodiment, an emergency light includes ahousing, a lamp, a compartment, a battery, and a door. The housing has afront wall and the lamp is connected to the housing. The compartment ispositioned in the housing and has an opening accessible through thefront wall of the housing. The battery is positioned in the compartment.The door is connected to the housing and covers the compartment openingwhen in a closed position.

According to another exemplary embodiment, an emergency sign includes anilluminated housing having a faceplate with indicia. A compartment ispositioned in the housing and has an opening accessible through thefaceplate of the housing. At least one battery is positioned in thecompartment. A door is connected to the housing and covers thecompartment opening when in a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be moreapparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary emergency lightassembly;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the light assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1 withthe compartment door in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the housing of the light assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the housing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the housing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the door of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the door of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary mounting plate;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the light assembly partially connectedto the mounting plate of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1with an alternative exemplary battery and wire connector;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of an alternative exemplarycompartment;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an alternative exemplaryemergency light assembly;

FIG. 16 is side perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 14with the door and one battery removed; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective exploded view of the light assembly of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

According to various exemplary embodiments, an emergency signalingdevice includes a compartment that allows a user to easily access andreplace a battery without exposure to dangerous conditions, such as highvoltage sources. The emergency signal emitter can be audio or visual.For example, a front access compartment with a cover can be used toallow access to the battery separate from supply power wiring,eliminating the installer's exposure to high voltages. In variousexemplary embodiments, the emergency unit can be a lighting unit thatcontains a light emitter or other device that requires battery backup,including an emergency lighting assembly, an emergency exit sign, orother emergency devices.

FIGS. 1-10 show an exemplary embodiment of an emergency lightingassembly 10. The lighting assembly includes a housing 12, one or morelamps 14, and a door 16 covering a battery compartment 18.

The housing 12 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment has a front wall20, inclined side walls 22, an inclined top wall 24, and an inclinedbottom wall 26. Rounded corners 28 or other transitions can connect thewalls. One or more of the walls 22, 24, 26 can include one or moreknockouts 29. For example, a knockout 29 can be positioned in both ofthe side walls 22 and the top wall 24. The knockouts 29 can beselectively removed to provide one or more wire openings for the housing12.

The lamps 14 extend through openings in the housing, for example,positioned mainly in the rounded corners 28. Side walls 22 are orientedat an incline with respect to the front wall 20 to direct light in agenerally outward and forward direction with respect to the housing 12.The housing 12 and lamp 14 can have various alternative configurationsdepending on the desired light output, strength, and direction. Thehousing 12 can be made from a molded plastic material, metal, composite,or other suitable rigid material.

Each of the lamps 14 can be independently adjusted to direct the beam oflight produced from the lamp 14 to a selected area. In an exemplaryembodiment, the lamps 14 can pivot and swivel within a socket in thehousing 12. The lamps 14 can include any suitable light source, forexample light emitting diodes (LED) or halogen light sources.

The light assembly 10 is connected to a main power source (not shown)and includes a battery 25 for providing auxiliary power. In an exemplaryembodiment, the internal circuitry and the lamps 14 are connected to thebattery by wires or another electrical connection. The light assembly 10is then connected to a main power source to maintain the battery 25 in acharged condition. Typically, the light assembly 10 is wired to anelectrical junction box or electrical receptacle as known in the art.Circuitry actuates the lamps 14 when certain conditions are present, forexample an alarm is activated or the primary source of power isinterrupted.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-6, the exemplary housing includes a compartment18 for housing the battery 25. The compartment 18 is accessible throughthe front of the housing 12 without removing the housing 12 or otherwiseexposing high voltage components, such as conductors or circuitry. Thecompartment 18 is covered by a moveable door 16 that can be selectivelyopened and closed by a user. The battery 25 can be secured in thehousing 12 by a strap 27. The strap 27 can be feed through one or moreslots in the compartment 18. The strap 27 can utilize a releasablefastener, for example a hook-and-loop fastener, buckle, clip, etc.

The front wall 20 includes a depression 30 adjacent the compartment 18opening and a boss 32 extending into the compartment 18. The compartment18 includes a bottom wall 34, top wall 36, side walls 38 extending fromthe front wall 20 toward the rear of the housing 12, and a back wall 40connected to one or more of the other walls 34, 36, 38. The top wall 36can include an undercut portion and the back wall 40 can include a slotfor receiving the strap 27.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom wall 34 includes one or more setsof protrusions 42 defining a groove. Slots 44 are positioned adjacentthe bottom wall 34 and the side walls 38 to retain the door 16. The topwall 36 extends at least partially over the compartment 18 and includesa channel 46 and an aperture 48 that extends into and through the backwall 40 as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. One or more angled grooves 50and projections 52 are provided in the compartment 18. For example afirst angled groove 50 and projection 52 are provided on the top wall 36and a second angled groove 50 and projection 52 are provided on a flangeextending over the compartment 18. The grooves 50 and projections 52 areconfigured to engage the door 16.

The door 16, according to the exemplary embodiment and best shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 includes a cover 54 having a front surface and a backsurface. An angled tab 56 extends upward from the cover 54, althoughother alternative configurations may be used. One or more clips 58, forexample first and second clips 58 having an opening, extend rearwardfrom the back surface of the cover 54. First and second legs 60 extenddownward from the back surface of the cover 54. A pin 62 extends fromeach of the first and second legs 60. Flaps 64 extend from the backsurface of the cover 54. The cover can be made from a variety ofmaterials, including non-conductive materials such as molded plastic,although other rigid materials may be used.

The pins 62 extend into the slots 44 to pivotally connect the door 16 tothe housing 12. When the door 16 is in the closed position, the clips 58engage the grooves 50 and projections 52 and the tab 56 rests in thedepression 30. The projections 52 extend into the openings of the clips58 to releasable secure the door 16 in the closed position. A fastener,for example a screw, can be inserted through the tab 56 and into theboss 32 to secure the cover 16 to the housing 12. The tab 56 can includean aperture for receiving the screw. Other connections, including otherhinge or pivotal connections or a non-hinged, separable connection canbe made between the door 16 and the housing 12.

The compartment 18 holds the battery 25 but isolates and/or limits aninstaller from touching high voltage components or circuits inside thehousing 12. The battery's low voltage is supplied to the main unit viawires that are routed through an opening in the back of the batterycompartment. The battery 25 can therefore be easily changed by a userwithout moving the housing 12 and without risk to injury.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the interior of the housing 12 includes variousstructural elements to secure required electrical components and thebattery 25. The light assembly 10 contains suitable electricalcomponents for powering and activating the lamps 14, for exampleelectrical conductors and circuitry as shown in FIG. 8 and would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Certain components,including portions of the wiring have been removed from FIG. 8 forclarity.

In an exemplary embodiment, a charger 68, for example a PCB mountedcharger, is secured to the housing 12. The charger 68 can include anelectrical connector that extends into the compartment 18, for examplethrough the channel 46 or aperture 48. The electrical connector can be aseries of wire conductors and a wire harness connector, although othersuitable types of electrical connectors, including wire conductors orother releasable connectors can be used

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary mounting plate 70 that can be used with thehousing 12. The mounting plate 70 is attached to a support, for examplea wall, ceiling or other structure. The interior of the housing 12 caninclude one or more mounting features, for example protrusions, bosses,slots, pins, clips, or any combination thereof that allow the housing 12to connect to a mounting plate 70. The housing 12 can releasably connectto the mounting plate 70, for example through a snap connection. Themounting plate 70 has various mounting features, for example for exampleprotrusions, bosses, slots, pins, clips, or any combination thereof toengage the housing 12. One or more hinge members can also be provided toallow the mounting plate 70 to pivot with respect to the housing 12. Themounting plate 70 includes tabs 72 that have openings that align withthe knockouts 29. In other alternative embodiments, the housing 12 canbe connected to the mounting plate, or directly to a structure, withstraps or fasteners.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of a multiple cell battery pack25B with an attached connector 74. The battery connector 74 can be aseries of wire conductors and a wire harness connector as shown,although other suitable type of electrical connectors, including wireconductors or other releasable connectors can be used. The battery 25Bis placed in the compartment 18 and the battery connector 74 is coupledto a charger connector 76, allowing the battery 25B to be charged by thecharger 68 and allowing the battery 25B to provide electrical power tothe lamps 14.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an exemplary embodiment of the battery compartment18B that is separately formed and can be attached to a housing, forexample through fasteners, adhesives, or a joining process. Thecompartment 18B includes a cover 78 to assist in shielding the interiorof the compartment 18B.

FIGS. 15-18 show another exemplary embodiment of a lighting assemblythat is an illuminated emergency exit sign 110. FIGS. 15 and 16 show anexemplary embodiment of the exit sign no that includes a side mountingextension 132 and bracket 134. FIGS. 17 and 18 show an exemplaryembodiment of the exit sign 110 having a rear mounting plate 136.

The exit sign no includes a housing 112, one or more lamps 114, and adoor 116 covering a battery compartment 118. The door 116 and thebattery compartment 118 have a substantially L shape. The batterycompartment 118 houses first and second batteries 125. The batterycompartment 118 includes a threaded aperture 120 that receives afastener 122 extending through the door 116. The door 116 has an outerflange that mates with a recess in the housing 112 so that the door 116fits flush against the housing. A slot 124 is provided in the door 116so it can be removed from the housing by a user after the fastener 122has been removed. The door 116 includes a set of first flanges 126 thathold the battery 125 in place and the compartment 118 includes a secondflange 128 that separates the first and second batteries 125. Thebatteries 125 can be connected through a wire harness, contacts, orother suitable electrical connection. In an exemplary embodiment, astrip 130 connects to the door 116 and the compartment 118 to assist inretaining the door 116 when it is removed from the compartment 118.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodimentshas been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of theinvention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilledin the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of theembodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with oneanother to form various additional embodiments not specificallydisclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and areintended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope ofthe appended claims. The specification describes specific examples toaccomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,”“lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptorsare intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, and are not intended to limit the structure ofthe exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particularposition or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or“approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer toreasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, generaltolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of thedescribed embodiments.

What is claimed:
 1. An emergency lighting device comprising: a housinghaving a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls at leastpartially defining an interior compartment; a first adjustable lightassembly connected to the housing; a second adjustable light assemblyconnected to the housing; a battery compartment positioned in thehousing; a rechargeable battery positioned in the battery compartment; acharging circuit positioned in the housing; a conductor extending intothe battery compartment to electrically connect the rechargeable batteryto the charging circuit; and a door connected to the housing andproviding access to the battery compartment, wherein a user accessingthe battery compartment is isolated from all high-voltage components. 2.The emergency lighting device of claim 1, wherein the rechargeablebattery provides auxiliary power to the first and second light emitters.3. The emergency lighting device of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond light emitters are pivotally connected to the housing.
 4. Theemergency lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a strap forretaining the rechargeable battery in the battery compartment.
 5. Theemergency lighting device of claim 1, wherein a threaded fastenersecures the door to the housing.
 6. The emergency lighting device ofclaim 1, wherein a user accessing the battery compartment is isolatedfrom directly or indirectly contacting all high voltage components. 7.The emergency lighting device of claim 1, wherein the conductor isconnected to the battery by a wire harness.
 8. The emergency lightingdevice of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment includes acompartment top wall, a compartment bottom wall, a compartment sidewall, and a compartment back wall.
 9. The emergency lighting device ofclaim 8, wherein at least one of the compartment top wall, compartmentbottom wall, the compartment side wall, and the compartment back wallincludes an aperture.
 10. The emergency lighting device of claim 1,wherein a high-voltage conductor is positioned in the housing andelectrically connects the charging circuit to a power supply.
 11. Anemergency light comprising: a housing having a front wall at leastpartially defining an opening; a battery compartment positioned in thehousing and accessible through the opening, wherein the batterycompartment is at least partially defined by a back wall and a pair ofside walls; a rechargeable battery positioned in the batterycompartment; a moveable light assembly connected to the housing havingat least one light emitting diode; a high-voltage conductor forconnecting to a line voltage conductor to supply power to the lightassembly; and a door pivotally connected to the housing, the doormoveable between a first position covering the opening and a secondposition allowing access to the battery compartment, wherein a useraccessing the battery compartment is isolated from all high-voltagecomponents.
 12. The emergency light of claim 11, wherein the door issecured in the closed position by a threaded fastener.
 13. The emergencylight of claim 11, wherein the battery compartment is physically andelectrically separated from the high-voltage conductor.
 14. Theemergency light of claim 11, further comprising a strap for retaining abattery in the battery compartment.
 15. The emergency light of claim 11,wherein the high-voltage conductor is positioned in the housing andelectrically connects a charging circuit to a power supply.
 16. Anemergency lighting device comprising: a housing; a battery compartmentpositioned in the housing, the battery compartment including a top wall,a bottom wall, a back wall, and a side wall; a first light assemblypivotally connected to the housing, the first light assembly including afirst light emitting diode; a second light assembly pivotally connectedto the housing, the second light assembly including a second lightemitting diode; a charging circuit positioned in the housing; amulti-cell, rechargeable battery positioned in the battery compartment;a strap positioned in the battery compartment to retain the battery; alow-voltage conductor connected to the rechargeable battery through awire harness and extending through an opening in the battery compartmentto electrically connect the rechargeable battery to the chargingcircuit; and a door connected to the housing to provide access to thebattery compartment, wherein the battery compartment is separated fromall high-voltage components so that a user accessing the batterycompartment is isolated from high-voltage components.
 17. The emergencylighting device of claim 16, wherein a high-voltage line conductor iselectrically connected to the charging circuit.
 18. The emergencylighting device of claim 16, wherein a high-voltage line conductorextends into the housing.
 19. The emergency lighting device of claim 16,wherein a threaded fastener secures the door in the closed position. 20.The emergency lighting device of claim 16, wherein the housing isconfigured to mount to a junction box.